CMC uses in Toothpaste Industry

Toothpaste grade CMC thickener carboxymethyl cellulose is a natural product derived from cellulose. Cellulose itself is insoluble in water and is converted into water-soluble molecules through chemical reactions. CMC’s natural harmless, non-polluting nature makes it continue to gain the favor of new users and new applications. All forms and levels of CMC are naturally biodegradable.

Application of CMC in oral care

Medium and high viscosity grade cellulose is commonly used as toothpaste thickener. Even at very low concentrations, these products are still very cohesive. Cellulose is soluble to form the desired viscosity, odorless and tasteless, forming a smooth gelatinous structure, soluble with other adhesives, resulting in excellent body feel and taste.

The product grades available for toothpaste are:

Medium viscosity, which has a significant thickening effect at low concentrations, is widely used in white and transparent toothpaste formulations.

In the traditional type of toothpaste stability is better.

Medium to high degree of substitution products, is a universal adhesive, therefore is the best choice for many types of toothpaste – clear gel toothpaste, sodium bicarbonate toothpaste, toothpaste to remove tartar etc. The level of substitution of the product ensures excellent stability and transparency of the toothpaste.

Suitable for formulations containing high concentrations of electrolyte or hydrogen peroxide under strict conditions.

Chemicals in toothpaste

Toothpaste is a complex mixture. The basic toothpaste is usually made up of tribants, humectants, surfactants, thickeners, sweeteners, preservatives, active additives and pigments. Special toothpaste refers to toothpaste with special quality. Fluoridated toothpaste with active fluoride can prevent dental caries. Chlorophyll toothpaste adds chlorophyll, to prevent gingival bleeding and oral odor has a certain effect; Medicated toothpaste A variety of medicines added to the toothpaste can relieve gingival bleeding, bad breath and dentin sensitivity.

The main ingredients of toothpaste

1. The abrasive

It is composed of calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, aluminum hydroxide, silica, titanium dioxide (titanium dioxide) and so on.

The most basic ingredient in toothpaste is to remove all kinds of dirt on the surface of teeth and enhance the cleaning effect of brushing.

Calcium carbonate, calcium hydrogen phosphate and aluminum hydroxide are commonly used as friction agents. Calcium carbonate has certain damage to tooth enamel, aluminum hydroxide and calcium phosphate are better friction agents. The particle size of the friction agent and the different processing technology are also one of the reasons for the price difference of toothpaste.

2. The buffer

It is composed of phosphoric acid, pyrophosphoric acid, carbonic acid, sodium salt of silicate, sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) and so on.

The main role of buffer agent is to adjust the toothpaste acid alkaline alkaline material, can enhance the stability of toothpaste, but to strictly control the proportion of the ingredients in the toothpaste, so as not to damage the fragile oral mucosa because of alkaline exceed the standard.

3. The moisturizer

Water, sorbitol, propylene glycol, glycerol (glycerol) – based.

The ingredients of humectants are edible or non-toxic, which are used to dissolve toothpaste in solid and liquid phase and prevent the mouth of toothpaste from drying out. The addition of humectants provides us with a better brushing experience.

4.Auxiliary components

Auxiliary ingredients are non-essential ingredients, that is, substances not necessarily contained in toothpaste. The addition of different ingredients makes toothpaste have more functions and effects. The special ingredients in the new functional toothpaste have great advantages over the traditional toothpaste, but many of them have advantages and disadvantages for oral cavity, so it should be selected according to individual needs.

Here are some common toothpaste supplements:

1. The foaming agent

Sodium dodecyl sulfonate (sodium lauryl sulfate) and other surfactants.

Foaming agent can emulsify and decompose oily residues in the mouth, with strong cleaning and descaling ability, and can also make users feel the effect of brushing teeth more intuitively. However, this kind of substance can irritate the oral mucosa, so manufacturers will strictly control the amount of additives, but also advise to avoid accidental ingestion.

2. The thickener

Toothpaste grade CMC Carboxymethyl cellulose sodium, hydroxyethyl cellulose (sodium), colloidal silica, etc.

Also known as a stabilizer, it regulates the fluidity and stability of toothpaste, increasing the taste and experience of brushing teeth.

3. Food coloring

Food grade coloring added to toothpaste.

Past toothpaste is given priority to with blue green color, give a person with whitening, green environmental protection, such as image, however, people are now more rational view of the problem – it is important to study the organic pigment molecules will attract microbes, shorten the shelf life, toothpaste and pure white toothpaste majority, now gradually less chromatic stripe, particle toothpaste.

4. The preservative

Benzoic acid, sorbic acid, propionic acid and its salts, parabolic benzoic acid, etc.

Toothpaste itself should be clean and pollution-free, so trace preservatives that can destroy bacterial cell structure will be added to the toothpaste. A toothpaste that has been kept for a long time may form mildew of different colors and cannot be used any longer.

5. Edible flavors

Derived from plant essential oils and some aromatic compounds.

Flavoring can mask bad breath, and the flavoring ingredient is helpful in social situations but not therapeutic.

In fact, bad breath can come from microbes, and the best ways to get rid of bad breath are to keep your gums healthy, keep your mouth clean, and watch your diet.

6. Sweeteners

To improve the taste of toothpaste, a small amount of saccharin is added to the toothpaste. Because glycerin used as a wetting agent also has sweet taste, the amount of saccharin is generally 0.01% ~ 0.1%. Xylitol can also be used as a sweetener.

7. Natural active ingredients

Green tea extracts, coconut oil, essential oils, herbal ingredients, and extracts of certain flowers.

Green tea and other plant natural ingredients are friendly to oral mucosa cells, and have some regulatory effects such as “down fire”, but it is difficult to play a role in the treatment of certain diseases, so it should not be over-emphasized. If symptoms occur, medical treatment should be timely, and certain ingredients in toothpaste should not be over-relied on.

8. Spices

The main spice used in toothpaste is mint, which is an indispensable ingredient to give toothpaste a cool feeling. Peppermint is divided into menthol (menthol), peppermint oil and other substances, as well as spices derived from it. In addition, fruit flavors can also be used, such as citrus flavors, but as toothpaste flavors are strictly limited.

9. Fluorine

Fluoride inorganic salts in toothpaste, including sodium fluoride, potassium monophosphate, stannous fluoride and so on.

Fluoride in toothpaste is anti-caries, and low doses of fluoride can strengthen the surface of teeth.

In fact, the main role of toothpaste is still clean, we should not rely on fluoride in toothpaste to resist tooth decay, daily diet and hygiene habits are more important.

10.Hydrogen peroxide

Also called hydrogen peroxide, H2O2.

Hydrogen peroxide, added in small amounts to toothpaste, can also kill bacteria and bleach teeth, but it is difficult to remove pathologically caused tooth discoloration and can irritate gums and mouth lining – so there are pros and cons to using hydrogen peroxide.

11. Western medicine ingredients

Antiseptic and anti-inflammatory ingredients can effectively clean the oral cavity, can relieve and treat periodontal diseases to a certain extent. But long-term use, easy to cause oral bacteria to produce drug resistance. So, don’t forget to refer to your dentist’s advice when using medicated toothpaste.